New power unit makes track debut
Honda’s updated power unit has been run on track for the first time during an Aston Martin filming day in Hungary. This marks a significant step in preparation for its planned race debut at the Dutch Grand Prix. The new-specification power unit is intended to complement a major car upgrade package introduced by Aston Martin at the recent Budapest round.
The AMR26 chassis received 16 developments during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. These changes contributed to Fernando Alonso securing the team’s first Q2 appearance of the season. In the race, Alonso and teammate Lance Stroll finished in P13 and P14 respectively.
Following the Hungarian Grand Prix, Aston Martin, along with Alpine and Audi, remained at the Hungaroring to assist Pirelli with tyre testing. Subsequently, Aston Martin conducted a filming day on Wednesday, during which the new Honda engine was tested.
Collaboration and progress
Shintaro Orihara, Honda’s Trackside General Manager and Chief Engineer, had previously confirmed the manufacturer’s plans while reviewing their Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. He stated that Honda had been supporting the team with power unit integration and collecting vital data to aid in the next race. Orihara also confirmed the plan to introduce the new-spec power unit in the Netherlands, with the filming day serving as its initial run in the AMR26 before the summer shutdown.
A spokesperson for Honda’s F1 operation later confirmed that the new engine had indeed been on track during the filming day. Attention is now focused on further running at Zandvoort in just over three weeks’ time. The collaboration between Aston Martin and Honda has reportedly become more efficient after a challenging start to their relationship in early 2026.
Mike Krack, Aston Martin’s Chief Trackside Officer, explained that despite initial difficulties, both parties committed to working together. He noted that there were multiple meetings to discuss challenges, which significantly improved the relationship within the garage, engineering office, and the technical collaboration between Aston Martin’s factory in Silverstone and Honda’s headquarters in Sakura.
Krack described the process as tough but necessary for improvement. He emphasised the importance of professionalism in such situations to overcome obstacles. He expressed optimism that if the team can return to a competitive position soon, they can reflect on the past six months and identify positive lessons learned.
Impact of upgrades
The first phase of upgrades for the Aston Martin and Honda partnership, aimed at improving their 2026 season, arrived at the Hungarian Grand Prix in the form of substantial chassis upgrades. These upgrades enabled Fernando Alonso to reach Q2 and achieve a season-high qualifying position.
In the race, Lance Stroll and Alonso finished ahead of an Alpine car and both Haas and Williams cars. Orihara highlighted that the filming day at the beginning of the summer break was crucial for testing the engine upgrade, which Aston Martin is now relying on for further progress. He noted that the filming day provides a good opportunity to assess how the new engine performs with the chassis, with teams limited to 200km of running and required to use special ‘demonstration’ tyres.
Mike Krack affirmed that the pace gain shown by the team in Hungary aligned with their expectations. He stated that the primary objective was to return to competitive racing, and he believes the upgrade package is effective. Krack also indicated the need for further steps in development.
Orihara concurred, specifically pointing to the new engine as the next crucial improvement. He stressed the importance of introducing the new power unit in Zandvoort, especially since the chassis is now performing well, anticipating that the power unit should contribute to improved lap times. Concerns about engine vibrations, which had affected the team earlier in 2026, appeared to resurface on Friday in Hungary, though both the team and engine supplier clarified these were not the same issues experienced at the start of the season.
Alonso mentioned that these vibrations were “fixed completely” after a new engine was installed for the remainder of the weekend from Saturday, suggesting the previous power unit might have been nearing the end of its operational life. Alonso acknowledged the pressure on Honda to improve given the chassis gains, but emphasised the collaborative nature of the partnership, with both sides assisting each other’s weaknesses. He noted that Honda initially helped address car weaknesses, and now with the chassis improvements, Aston Martin is assisting Honda. Alonso concluded that this is hopefully the initial step, fostering confidence and trust between both factories, which he believes will be more significant in the coming months.
Source: formula1.com
